Cold war was a post World war II international conflict that was from the late 1940s to the early 1990s during which the US and USSR competed globally. It is impossible to discuss this conflict without noting physical division of its capital; turning Berlin into East and West. This blog post will discuss the history, political systems, people’s way of getting through daily life, and the reunification of this amazing city.

1. The Division of Berlin

After World War II ended, the city of Berlin, which is the capital of Germany, was occupied by four allied powers; United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and France. The city was divided into four sections and each section was under control of each occupying force.

Ideological rift between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union continued to widen and what was formally a divided city of Berlin, divided Germany was formed in 1949. East Berlin became the capital of the German Democratic Republic which is a socialist state supported by Soviet Union while West Berlin remained under the control of the Western Allies and was seen as a symbol of freedom and democracy.

2. The Construction of the Berlin Wall

In the same year 1961 the GDR with the leadership of Walter Ulbricht erected what was termed as the Berlin Wall an actual barrier. This wall was put up after several East Germans had fled to West Germany and West Berlin where freedoms was obtained and jobs were available.

The Berlin Wall was of concrete, and even had barbed wire and its own watchtowers. This wall socially side separated east Berlin from west Berlin, and became an absolute barrier between families, friends, and even a city that once was an entire entity. People tried to escape many times, but the majority of attempts were fatal since people died in the course of attempting to get to the other side.

3. Life in East and West Berlin

3.1 East Berlin

The existence in this area was largely influenced by policies and authority of the ruling Socialist Unity Party. They (the powers) dominated the civil liberties of the people including the economy, media, and education. The East Germany was policed by the Secret Police called Stasi who was tracking the population and quelling any dissent.

Food and other consumer goods were short in supply and with the planned economy system people’s freedoms were restricted. They observed their citizens’ movement and discouraged people from travelling to the West. But there was a newly formed close-knit Community spirit for East Berliners in terms of supporting culture & sport.

3.2 West Berlin

Things were very different in West Berlin, which was a city-state, before becoming part of Berlin, the capital city of Germany. This benefited from the political structure of a democracy and a market economy and from good relations with Western Europe and the United States. A large number of cultural events were held in the city, people of art, music, and intellect gathered in the city.

West Berliners had consumer goods, travels to other countries, and the good night life. Berlin was the emblem of the Western democracy, while Brandenburg Gate was the reminder of the cleavage between the two parts of the city.

4. The dramatic event called the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification.

Under constant political and economic pressure finally the Berlin Wall came down on 9th November 1989. It was a historical event and it signaled the concluding end of the cold war systems. After that the process of German unity started.

Finally in 1990 East joined with West Germany to form one country and the united Germany has its capital in Berlin again. The reunification entailed various multiple problems of matching political systems of the two sides, economic cooperation and social differences between the East and the West.

5. Life and Memory in the Cold War

As of now the pieces of the Berlin Wall are still standing and symbolizes a sign of Cold War era. The murals at the so-called East Side Gallery have evolved into an emblem of liberty and togetherness from around the world.

There are a number of museums and memorials in Berlin today concerning the division of Germany and life on both sides of the wall including Berlin Wall Memorial and Checkpoint Charlie Museum.

Conclusion

The wall constructed in Germany between the two cities divided by the cold war represents the intense political differences for room on top. Currently, Berlin is a city that can claim to present historical memories, the fates of the people who survived this historic period, and tell more about the history of a European country. Recognizing this part of history allows us to celebrate advancements in reconciliations that has been made throughout history and focuses on keeping our world today fully at peace.